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Originally posted by driley
The great Torah scholar still doesn't reply to the central complaint of my post which is his ignorant association of the title "Knight of the Brazen Serpent" with paganism, when, in fact, the allusion is clearly to an event from the Hebrew Scriptures.
I think this says more than the several posts of pseudo-scholarly reply.
Originally posted by dontreally
I know masonry bases itself primarely on Kabbalah and the Hebraic esoteric tradition. The problem with this is their twisted pagan interpretation of it. Their deluded insistance that it was written by gnostics; that its entirely allegorical. All this of course is lies.
Originally posted by dontreally
Im criticing Masonry because i know a great deal about it. I know its main ethos is Gnosticism. Maybe not all masons are of this persuasion; hence, the varying degrees and levels and extramasonic bodies within the world of Freemasonry.
For instance, the Tall cedars of lebanon is one such order that CLEARLY is involved in some sketchy things. 'Cedar of lebanon' is understood kabbalistically as a symbol for arrogance. Lavan in Hebrew means 'white' refering to purity, and specifically in reference to Jacobs corrupt sorceror uncle Lavan. One who considers himself a 'tall ceder' of Lebanon is one who regards his ways as perfect - in the sense that even his faults are in accord with the will of G-d. And so, this clearly refers to the egotism and self worship that epitomizes many streams of Hellenistic spirituality. gnosticism/neo platonism,hermeticism, sufism, sabbatean kabbalah etc.
Originally posted by driley
Originally posted by dontreally
I know masonry bases itself primarely on Kabbalah and the Hebraic esoteric tradition. The problem with this is their twisted pagan interpretation of it. Their deluded insistance that it was written by gnostics; that its entirely allegorical. All this of course is lies.
The problem, as I have tried to explain repeatedly, is that Freemasonry is entirely non-dogmatic. It offers itself for the interpretation of the individual initiate. That means that, at best, I can tell you what the rituals of the Fraternity have meant to me. No author or authority whatsoever -- not Albert Pike, not the Master of my Lodge, not any author nor any Grand Master -- may tell anyone else what the true meaning of the Fraternity might be. They can only offer their experience and their opinion.
What, it seems to me, you crave is a system that provides you with all the answers in a simple package. If you have found it, then I wish you the best and hope it provides you with much happiness. However, don't make the mistake of assuming that Freemasonry is a similar package. Freemasonry, in its essence, simply encourages a man to consider ideas, to pose questions and to seek answers. It doesn't, really, provide those answers.
Originally posted by network dude
Originally posted by dontreally
Im criticing Masonry because i know a great deal about it. I know its main ethos is Gnosticism. Maybe not all masons are of this persuasion; hence, the varying degrees and levels and extramasonic bodies within the world of Freemasonry.
First we read the above. Being the nice guys we are, we give the benefit of the doubt. You do use big words and claim to be able to communicate in several languages.
Then we get this
For instance, the Tall cedars of lebanon is one such order that CLEARLY is involved in some sketchy things. 'Cedar of lebanon' is understood kabbalistically as a symbol for arrogance. Lavan in Hebrew means 'white' refering to purity, and specifically in reference to Jacobs corrupt sorceror uncle Lavan. One who considers himself a 'tall ceder' of Lebanon is one who regards his ways as perfect - in the sense that even his faults are in accord with the will of G-d. And so, this clearly refers to the egotism and self worship that epitomizes many streams of Hellenistic spirituality. gnosticism/neo platonism,hermeticism, sufism, sabbatean kabbalah etc.
did you just make a sweeping judgement of a masonic side order simply by the name of said order? really? Is that even remotely scholarly?
I would love to read some of your research papers.
"Burger King is demonic. Have you ever seen the King? He always has the same facial expression. He is up to something I tell ya!"
Next time you have a thought, just let it go.
The Jewish sages say only one human being has ever attained the 50th gate and that was Moshe Rabbeinu.
I dont know any better but i would suspect that many gnostics believe that this level corresponds to the 'self', christ, boddhisatva, etc where one lives above the passions and limitations of the lower self .
Originally posted by getreadyalready
reply to post by dontreally
A little off topic, but doesn't this single enlightened admission admit that Deism is the only correct way to worship? And therefore, the only organization getting it correctly is the Masonic Fraternity?
You just confirmed that Moshe Rabbeinu, Christ, and Buddha were all the same being, just by different names. Maybe we should assign a generic name to that being and the creator of that being. Lets say "GAOTU" for the creator, and "Son" for the one human man that reached this level with his father/creator. If we assume the living spirit of God in mankind is the "Holy Ghost" and that Abraham was a prophet instructing his people on the way to best live to honor the Creator. Then we have combined every major religion in the world into one monotheistic worship practice!
Are you now agreeing with all of this? Or was that just one sentence that slipped out without you seeing the profound consequence of it?
[edit on 13-8-2010 by getreadyalready]
Originally posted by humbleseeker
How do you know that the Torah and the jewish faith is not man made?
Originally posted by scooterstrats
reply to post by dontreally
Quote "...theres only the Torah. Torah, and thats it." Again, religious intolerance and bigotry are not, contrary to your continued assertions, accepted by most of mainstream society. Join your religion of choice and be happy, but stop saying that your beliefs are the only acceptable available by default and contradict MY personal God. And I doubt that your religion requires you to argue and demean others who dont agree with you. If this IS the doctrine of your sect, its contrary to most if not all other religions that preach tolerance and promote goodwill to others. Does your religion promote slander against institutions that you know nothing about as well as intolerance of any other religion? I doubt it.
Originally posted by scooterstrats
reply to post by dontreally
"Whos talking about religious intolerance?"
You are, and have been. You continue to state that your sect is the "only way, all that there is". You are offensive . You are proselytizing and preaching your beliefs here, treading on thin ice if the moderators are to be believed.You may want to move your position the the Religion forum. And answer the questions that were posited to you regarding your posts. You are offensive to my religious sensibilities. Does your belief system condone that?
Originally posted by scooterstrats
reply to post by dontreally
Religious bigotry is offensive to any culture or society,if you feel that Torah is the ONLY way or truth, thats great and I hope you enjoy it. Where does this Torah thing say that you must force it onto others in a dogmatic fashion? You've suddenly changed your tone when confronted with the speculation that your precious Torah may not condone your attitude. Interesting reversal. I really doubt that any sane religion says that you should go on a public message board and state that only you have the true way .Sounds a bit megalomaniacal. Thin ice here chief, quit preaching religion because if the mods are half sober they may realize that this violates their terms. Then you will need to find another unsuspecting forum to spew your fundamentalist , exclusive, and personally offensive ranting . Offensive yes. Some tenets of your beliefs are palatable, but stating that your belief system is the only true way ( yeah you said it) and imply that if others dont follow it they are in error, is offensive to ANY religion. And the mods seem to condone it, interesting. Off to bed , see u tommorrow.
[edit on 8/14/10 by scooterstrats]